AN ACTUAL DAY IN THE LIFE BEING GARRETT'S MOM

Wow, it has been a long time since I have added a post. I have been working on getting Garrett's Foundation up and running. Please check out the site www.garrettsfoundation.org. We are hoping to do a lot of good things for special children and their families.

Many people ask me what a typical day is like with a disabled child. Mostly, typical days are similar to everyones typical days, but with a few differences. Instead of learning to tie a shoe, we are learning to balance on a T-Stool. Instead of learning ABC's and 123's, we learn signs for different things. Instead of being stressed about Garrett running around and making a mess, I am trying to get him to walk with a walker. Instead of getting stressed because they are driving me crazy, I get stressed about trying to keep him alive in the blink of an eye (at the same time keeping my "cool" so my daughter does not get scared).

Yesterday, Garrett began showing symptoms of the cold that we have all been battling for the past few weeks. He can't have ANY kind of cold medicine due to his multiple seizure disorder, so I put the humidifier and vaporizer in his room last night. He did pretty well, only coughing a few times. We he awoke this morning, he began coughing, and due to his development delay, he can't cough hard enough to get the gunk up all of the way. He began to choke. He then could not get any air into his lungs. So, I called 911 and my mom. Meanwhile, I grabbed the bulb syringe and suctioned his throat. God, as usual, was right there with me, because I was able to get enough out of his throat that he could get some gasps of air into his lungs. During all of this, Kennedy was scared that he was going to die. I assured her all was well, and she began to pray. Thankfully, the EMS and my mom arrived at the same time. The EMS stabilized his breathing and we were off to the hospital on yet another ambulance ride. Garrett has the croup. Something a "normal" child can cope with without too much trouble, but it is something that can be life threatening to Garrett in the blink of an eye. After lots of medicine, pokes and 6 hours of observation, we were home. We have to go to his pediatrician tomorrow for a follow up dose of steroids, but he should be okay.

I am so very thankful for having Garrett for my son. He has taught me so much about life, love, patience and gratitude. I am grateful for every second that I have him in my life. I still do not know why God thought I was worthy to be Garrett's mother, but I have appreciation for that blessing. Not every mother gets to appreciate the small things about their children, so I consider myself very fortunate.

When your healthy children are running you ragged and driving you crazy, stop and hug them and be thankful for the blessing of them.